Stopper feeding and applying machine



June'14, 1955 F. c. WORTH STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1951 Francis 6. Worth INVENTOR.

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June 14, 1955 F. c. WORTH STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 28, 1951 Francis 0. War/l7 INVENTOR.

June 14, 1955 F. c. WORTH STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 28, 1951 wl Z.

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INVENTOR.

BY W Z? M518]! and June 14, 1955 F. c. WORTH STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 28, 1951 m Em INVENTOR.

BY W fi m all F. C. WORTH STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE June 14, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 28, 1951 Francis 6. Worth vmw INVENTOR.

U BY an! June 14, 1955 F. c. WORTH STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Q N R F rancls 0. Worth INVENTOR.

Filed June 28, 1951 June 14, 1955 F. c. WORTH 1 STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Francis 6. Wort/ 1 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent STOPPER FEEDING AND APPLYING MACHINE Francis C. Worth, Ridgewood, N. Y.

Application June 28, 1951, Serial No. 234,011

19 Claims. (Cl. 226-92) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in container charging and plugging machines and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a small and compact machine whereby vials and the like may be filled and plugged in a sterile manner.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a machine that will quickly and readily fill vials with a suitable liquid, gas or powder and then apply stoppers to the vials in order to reduce, considerably, the time presently required for such a procedure and thereby reducing to a minimum the possibility of obtaining contaminated products.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a vial filling and stopper applying machine mostly constructed of stainless steel parts that will withstand the required high temperatures required for sterilization.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned character embodying a novel and improved stopper dispenser including a power driven hopper having an automatic reversing mechanism that will free a stopper in the event a stopper becomes clogged in the hopper.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a stopper applying mechanism employing a suction means whereby a stopper will be retained in proper position to the mechanism as the latter is moved to a position for forcing a stopper into a vial.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide an arrestor for the stopper applying mechanism so that the mechanism will be held against operation until a vial is in position for plugging.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a vial filling or charging mechanism also having an arrestor that will prevent operation of the filling mechanism until a vial is correctly positioned to be filled.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a power driven platform that is disposed beneath the stopper applying mechanism to turn a vial as a stopper is forced in the vial, thereby assuring positive engagement of a stopper in a vial.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vial filling and plugging machine wherein the parts are so arranged and constructed as to permit the device to be extremely small for the purpose for which it is intended, and extremely simple and practical in operation, thereby requiring very little service for efficient operation.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a machine that is specifically adapted to fill vials for biological use and for applying rubber stoppers to the vials after they have been filled with vaccine or other such product.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the present machine showing the stopper applying arm raised with a stopper held thereby, a vial about to be moved beneath the dispensing head and the vial holder held against rotation by engagement with the plunger;

Figure 2 is an end view of the machine with the peripheral wall of the casing removed to illustrate the arrestor for the stopper applying mechanism in an inactive position to permit operation of the stopper applying mechanism, and with parts of the hopper, guide chute and pump unit broken away;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of Figure 2 to illustrate the operating means for the stopper applying mechanism and the arrestor for the operating means;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the operating means for the stopper mechanism in its position for lowering the stopper applying mechanism and the valve arm for the suction to the mechanism in its open position, and with a vial beneath the mechanism and receiving a stopper therefrom;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view, partly in elevationv and partly in section to show the valve means for suction between a source and the stopper applying mechanism in its open position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the hopper used in the invention and with part of the closure plate broken away to show the closure for the hopper;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the machine to illustrate the reversing mechanism for the hopper;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view of Figure 1 taken through the hopper support and guide chute and looking. down on the machine;

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view of Figure 1 taken directly beneath the upper wall of the casing and with the peripheral wall of the casing removed;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view through the guide chute and stopper applying mechanism and showing the latter raised and holding a stopper;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 but showingthe stopper applying mechanism lowered and in the act of forcing a stopper into a vial (dotted lines);

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevational view of Figure 1 with the peripheral wall of the casing removed and showing the arrestor for the pump actuator in its active position preventing engagement of the pump actuator with the pump operating rod;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Figure 12 but showing the pump rock lever raised and the lift arm also raised but not engaged with the pump operating rod;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 but showing the pump rock lever lowered and the lift arm lowered and about to be engaged with the pump operating rod;

lowered and engaged with the pump operating rod, and

the vial contact arm associated with the rock lever en-- gaged with a vial to permit the lift arm to engage the pump operating rod;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figures 13, 14 and 15 but showing the pump rock lever and lift arm raised and the pump operating rod also raised to actuate the pump;

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 1 lowering at the pump unit and with parts of the unit broken away to show the internal structure of the pump unit;

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of Fig ure 4 to show the manner in which the vial holder is keyed to its rotating shaft;

Figure 19 is a detail view partly in section and partly in section to illustrate the stopper applying mechanism;

Figure 20 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the hopper, guide chute and support for the hopper, partly in elevation and partly in section;

Figure 2l is a sectional view taken on the plane of section line 21-21 of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 22--22 of Figure 20;

Figure 23 is a plan view of the rear wall of the hopper, and,

Figure 24 is a sectional view taken on the plane of section line 2424 of Figure 21.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral rep resents a combined casing and main support including upper and lower substantially rectangular walls 12 and 14 whose corners are joined by corner posts 16. A pcripheral wall 18 surrounds the upper and lower walls 12 and 14, and its overlapping ends are detachably secured together to permit removal of the wall 18. A base plate 20 overlies one end of the wall 12 and is detachably secured to the wall 12 by suitable fasteners.

Stopper dispenser and applicator Means is provided for forcing stoppers in vials after the vials have been filled with a suitable liquid, gas or powder. This means consists of an upright 22 that rises from the base plate 20 and which includes a lower flanged end 24 that is detachably secured to the base plate by suitable fasteners. its convex surface facing forwardly and supporting a removable channel-shaped cover 26 that is slotted at its upper end to accommodate a reinforcing and centering rib 27 forming a part of the upright. The cover is longitudinally curved to conform to the arch of the upright 22.

A cross arm 28 is secured to the upper end of the upright and its ends project outwardly from the upright and removably support a pair of spaced parallel upwardly and forwardly inclined arms 30 having slotted flanges 32 at their forward ends.

The cylindrical rear stationary wall 34 of a hopper 36 receivably engages a pair of rearwardly extending fasteners 38 that are seated in the notches of flanges 32 to hold the wall 34 relative to the upright. Wall 34 is formed with a rearwardly extending central bearing 40 and a peripheral wall 42 carrying a centering rib 44. A combined roller and gage member 46 is removably se cured to the wall 34, radially inwardly from the wall 42 for a purpose later to be more fully described.

An arched guide chute 48 is detachably secured at its 7' upper end to a tongue 50 projecting radially outwardly from the wall 34 and the guide chute is formed with a passage 52 that is substantially T-shaped in cross section to slidably receive the head and shank of a stopper S. The lower flanged end 54 of the guide chute is removably secured to the base plate by a pair of relatively long bolts 56 whose lower reduced ends enter threaded apertures in the base plate.

The guide chute 48 is shown best in Figures 1 and 8 of the drawings and its forward face is formed with an opening that communicates with the passage 52. An arcuate transparent closure 57 is removably held in the opening 55 to permit access to stoppers S entering the passage 52.

A ring 58 is frictionally engaged with the peripheral wall 42 and is formed with a notch 60 that receives the rib 44 to center the ring 58 relative to wall 34 and a radial T-shaped slot 62 aligned with the passage 52 to permit stoppers to pass through the slot 62 and into the passage 52.

Hopper 36 includes a rear revolvable wall 64 having a rearwardly projecting centrally disposed stub axle 66 secured thereto that enters the bearing 40 and an annular rim 68 on its rear face about the axle 66 which enters a recess 70 in the forward face of wall 34. The rear face The upright is slightly arched with .1

. ;arranged as not to block the passage of stoppers through the openings 76. Spacers 73 are provided between the wall 64 and member 74 and are also arranged so as not to block the passage of stopper through openings 76.

The rear end of a transparent cylindrical insert is fitted into the rear portion of the hopper and includes a bottom wall 82 having a central opening 84 to permit stoppers to pass from the insert between the walls 34 and 64. A radial guide arm 86 is secured to the flanged portion of a sleeve 88 removably held in the opening 84 and includes a curved inner end 90 concentric with the opening 84 to guide stoppers into the opening 84.

Retainer rods 92 attached at their rear ends to the rear portion of the hopper extend alongside of the insert 80. The forward threaded ends of the rods extend through apertures in a cover plate 94 whose flange surrounds the forward end of the insert 80, and nuts are threaded on the forward ends of the rods 92 to hold the cover plate relative to the insert. A removable closure 96 is fitted in a central opening in the plate 94.

The upper end of the upright 22 rotatably supports a vertically inclined driven shaft 98 carrying a sprocket 100 over which there is trained a sprocket chain 102 that is mostly concealed behind the cover 26. A cross piece 104 is secured to the shaft 98 for rotation therewith and carries a pair of forwardly extending parallel pins 196 that will selectively enter a pair of diametrically opposed notches in a peripherally notched plate 108 mounted on axle 66.

A preferably electric motor 110 is supported on the wall 14. The motor is operatively connected to a longitudinal shaft 112 that is supported in bearings 114 on the wall 14. A pair of friction wheels 1.16 and 118 are freely rotatably supported on the shaft 112 and these wheels are separated by a collar 120 fixed on the shaft 112. A swingable latch 122 is pivoted on the periphery of the collar 120 and includes a pair of cam surfaced hook portions 124 and 126 for engaging pins 128 and 130 carried by the wheels 116 and 113. A spring 132 will yieldingly retain the latch to one side or the other to permit engagement of one of the hook portions with one of the pins.

A short driven shaft 134 is rotatably supported in bearings 136 on the wall 14 and this shaft is disposed perpendicular to the shaft 112. The shaft 134 slidahly carries a friction wheel 138 and a sprocket 140 with a spring 142 urging the friction \vheel 138 into frictional engagement with the wheels 116 and 118. The sprocket 140 engages the chain 102 which extends downwardly and about the sprocket 140 through registering slots in the base plate 20 and the upper wall 12.

As the shaft 112 is driven by the motor 110 the friction wheels 116 and 118 will ride against the friction wheel 138 and one of the hook portions 124 or 126 will engage one of the pins 128 or 130 to cause the wheel whose pin is engaged with the latch 122 to rotate with the shaft 112.

During rotation of the friction wheel engaged with the latch, the shaft 134 will also rotate to drive shaft 98 and hence axle 66 and hopper 36.

Stoppers are placed in the insert 80 and as the insert is rotated thestoppers will be engaged by the arm 86 and portion 90 to be directed into Opening 84. The stoppers will then pass individually through one of the openings 76, theslot 62 and downwardly through the passage 52 of the chute toward a stopper applying mechanism now to be described.

The lower end of the guide chute, below the discharge end of the passage 52, is formed with a vertical slot 143 in which there is mounted a vertically swingable stopper applying mechanism 144 including an arm 146 having a rear bearing portion 148 that receives a pivot 150 extending through the walls of the slot in the guide. A plug holder or slide 152 is slidably carried by the arm 146 and is provided with a forward offset bifurcated retainer finger 154 that underlies the forward end of arm 146. 7

Plug holder 152 is formed with an enlarged rear end 156 that carries a pair of rollers 158 riding against the rear face of the chute 48 to restrict, forward movement of the plug holder 152 on the arm 146, against action of a spring 160 connecting the forward end of arm 146 to end 156, as the arm 146 is moving downwardly to its stopper applying position.

Pivot 150 is formed with a blind bore 162 and a transverse aperture 164 intersecting the bore 162. An annular groove 166 in the outer periphery of the pivot 150 communicates with the aperture 164. The arm 146 is formed with a longitudinal passage 168 that communicates with the groove 166 at its rear end. A nipple 170 is fitted in the forward end of the arm 146 and communicates with the forward end of passage 168.

A block 172 is supported on the lower wall 14 and 1.?

supports upper and lower nipples 174 and 176 to which flexible tubes 178 and 180 are attached. The block 172 is formed with a blind bore 182 at its lower portion and the upper portion of the block 172 is formed with a passage 184 that extends to the nipple 174.

A valve arm 186 is swingably mounted to the lower portion of the block 172 by a pivot 188. A recess 190 is formed in the arm 186, about the pivot 188, and communicates with the bore 182 through the medium of apertures 192 in the inner end wall of bore 182. A longi- 51-.

tudinal passage 194 in the arm 186 extends from the recess 190 to an aperture 196 in the block that faces the block 172. A spring 198 engages the arm 186 and urges the arm raised to a position where aperture 196 registers with one end of passage 184.

Shaft 112 supports a cam 200 that will engage the upper end of the arm 186, during rotation of shaft 112, to move the arm 186 against action of spring 198 so that the aperture 196 will no longer register with one end of passage 184.

Tubing 178 is connected to one end of a tube 202 extending through plate 20 and wall 12 and the other end of tube 202 is connected to the open end of the pivot 150 by a flexible tube 203 to complete the operative circuit from the nipple 170 to a source of suction overatively connected to the tube 188.

A U-member 206 forms parts of the arm 146 and receives the upper end of a link 208 that extends upwardly through registering slots in the plate 20 and wall 12 and which link is held to the member 206 by a removable pivot 210 having a knurled surfaced head.

The lower end of the pitman or link 208 is connected to a laterally projecting arm 212 fixed on a shaft 214 carried by bearings 216 mounted on the lower wall 14. One end of the shaft 214 extends through an aperture in the apex of a V-mernber 218 whose bifurcated end 220 supports a transverse pin 222.

Another laterally projecting arm 224 is secured on shaft 214- by a set screw and its outer end is formed with an arcuate slot 226 that receives a fastener 228 threaded to the other end of the V-member 218 to hold the V- member 218 against rotation on shaft 214 and adjusted on the shaft 214. An additional arm 230 is held on the shaft 214 by a set screw and this latest arm is connected to a part of the machine, such as a bearing for shaft 112, r

by a spring 232 that yieldingly restricts rotation of shaft 214.

A forwardly and rearwardly slidable lever 234, com posed of two parallel bars joined at their ends, is slidably secured at its forward end to a post 236 rising from the The longer leg 248 of an L-shaped actuator 250 is pivoted between the two bars forming the lever 234, adjacent the forward end of the lever 234, and the longer leg 248 is formed with a notch 252 for engaging the I pin 222.

As the shaft 112 rotates, cam 240 will engage roller 238 to impart sliding movement to the lever 234 and the walls of notch 252 will engage the pin 222 to raise the bifurcated end 220 of the V-member 218 and lower arm 212. This action will pull the link 208 downwardly and lower the stopper applying arm 146 to its stopper applying position. The vertical swing of the arm 146 may be increased or decreased by adjustment of the fastener 228 in the slot 226.

Means is provided for preventing engagement of notch 252 with pin 222 and thereby restrict lowering of the stopper applying arm 146 in the event a vial is not dis posed therebeneath. This means comprises a bar 254 paralleling lever 234 and slidably received in guides 256 on wall 14. An abutment 258 at the rear end of the bar 254 will engage the short leg or L-shaped actuator 250 to raise the actuator 250, whereupon the notch 252 will clear pin 222 as the lever 234 moves forwardly. A spring 260 connects the forward end of bar 254 to post 236 and yieldingly urges the bar 254 forwardly and the abutment 258 from the lower cam surfaced end of the actuator 250.

The lower end of a vertical rod 262 is rotatably supported in a bearing seat in the wall 14 and the upper end of the rod 262 extends upwardly through registering openings in the plate 20 and wall 12 and supports a horizontally disposed vial contact arm 264. The lower end of the rod 262 supports a laterally projecting arm 266 that is connected to a holder 268 on the wall 14 by a spring 270. Arm 266 extends transversely across the bar 254 and in front of a stop 272 rising from an intermediate portion of the bar 254 to restrict forward sliding movement of the bar 254.

Means is provided whereby stoppers may drop from the guide chute one at a time to the stopper applying arm 146. This means is shown best in Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings and comprises a spring arm 274 attached at its upper end to the rear wall of the guide chute 48. The lower end of the arm 274 carries an abutment 276 that will engage an adjustable stop 278 on a case 280 removably secured behind the guide chute 48. A lug 282 supported on the arm 274 is slidably received in an aperture 284 in the rear wall of guide chute 48 at the discharge end of the passage 52 and the spring arm 274 yieldingly urges the lug 282 into the discharge end of the passage 52 to block downward sliding movement of a stack of stoppers in the passage 52 when the arm 146 is lowered as shown in Figure 11.

When arm 146 is raised to its position in Figure 10 the arm 146 will engage abutment 276 to retract the lug 282 from the passage 52 whereupon the lower stopper will be retained on the finger 154.

Operation of stopper dispenser and applicator in order to slide the lever 234 forwardly, see Figure 4,

from its starting position, see Figure 2.

During forward sliding movement of the lever 234, member 218 will be swung clockwise (in Figures 2, 3 and 4), causing a rotation of shaft 214 and arm 218 sutficient to lower link 208 and swing arm 146 downwardly.

It should be noted that the cam 200 is so positioned on shaft 112 that it will engage arm 186 to move the upper end of passage 194 out of registry with aperture 196 (see Figure 5) until the plug of a stopper has dropped between the furcations of finger 154 in order to prevent the suction at nipple 170 from holding a stopper or plug until the stopper is correctly positioned for insertion in a vial.

A plurality of stoppers or plugs are placed in the insert an important part since should a stopper become clogged in the hopper (opening 62 and an opening 76) due to the fact the guide chute is filled with stoppers, the latch 122 will be swung away from the pin 130 or 128 it is engaged with (see Figure 7) and it will then engage the other of the pins 128, 130. If the stopper still clogs the hopper, the latch 122 will again cam against one of the pins and will swing back to its normal position to engage one or the other of the pins 128, 130. This procedure will be repeated until the stopper causing the clogging is to moved or passes into the passage 52.

Vial holding and feeding mechanism Means is provided for holding a plurality of vials and for feeding the vials to a position where they may be filled with a liquid, gas or powder and then plugged or closed by a stopper from the mechanism 144.

This means consists of a vial holder or drum 286 whose upper and lower flanges are provided with circumferentially spaced peripheral notches 288 forming seats for vials V. The hub of the drum 286 is hollow to receive a vertical shaft 290 extending upwardly from the wall 14 and the opening in the upper flange of drum 286 is partially blocked by a diametrical arm 292 that fits between the furcations of the upper bifurcated end of shaft 290, see Figures 4 and 18.

The lower end of vertical shaft 290 is journaled in a bearing seat in wall 14 and the lower portion of shaft 290 carries a collar 294, a friction disk 296 that is keyed for sliding on the shaft 290 and a spool 298 that is freely rotatable on the shaft 290. The upper flange of spool 298 is formed with worm teeth 300 and the lower flange of spool 298 is formed with gear teeth 302. A spring 303 surrounds shaft 290 and is biased between the collar 294 and disk 296 to urge the latter into frictional engagement with spool 298 whereby the latter will rotate as a unit with disk 296 and shaft 290.

A short shaft 304 parallels shaft 134 and is journaled in bearings 306 on wall 14. This shaft, 303, carries a Worm 308 that meshes with the worm teeth 300 of spool 298 to rotate the holder 286 counter-clockwise when it viewing Figure 1.

A relatively long shaft 310 parallels shaft 304 and is journaled in bearings 312 mounted on wall 14. One end of shaft 310 carries a beveled gear 314 that meshes with a similar beveled gear 316 on shaft 112, see Figure 9. A sprocket 318 on shaft 310 is connected to a sprocket 320 on shaft 304 by a sprocket chain 322 whereby shafts 112, 310, 304 and 290 may rotate as a unit.

Means is provided so that the holder 286 will rotate in a step by step manner to bring a vial under the arm 146 each time the holder rotates and retain the vial under the arm 146 for a period sufficient to permit the application of a stopper thereto.

This means comprises a vertically reciprocating plunge'r 324 whose lower end is slidably received in a guide 326 on wall 14. The upper portion of the plunger extends through registering guide apertures in plate 20 and wall 12 and is urged upwardly past the spool 286 by a spring 328 on plunger 324 and biased between guide 326 and a collared arm 330 secured on the plunger.

Circumferentially spaced lugs or stops 332 on the upper flange of drum 286 project radially outwardly from the spool for sequentially engaging the plunger 324 to arrest rotation of the holder 286 through the friction clutch 298, 296.

The central portion of a longitudinal rock lever 334 is pivoted to a post 336 rising from wall 14 and one end of the lever 334 carries a roller 338 that rides against a cam 340 on shaft 310, see Figures 9 and 14. The other end of lever 334 rests against the arm 330 to periodically depress plunger 324 to clear the lugs 332 as the high point of cam 340 rides against roller 338.

A passageway 342, comprising a removable unit, is held on the Wall 12 and includes a blocker portion 344 that extends radially between the upper and lower flanges of holder 286 to engage and direct vials into the passageway 342 after the vials have been plugged by the stopper applying mechanism 144.

Directly beneath the stopper applying mechanism 144 there is provided openings in the plate 20 and wall 12 that receive a rotary platform 346 having a depending vertical shaft 348 whose lower end is journaled in a bearing seat in wall 14. The shaft 348 carries a gear 350 that meshes with a pinion 352 rotatably supported on wall 14, see Figure 9, and the pinion 352 meshes with the teeth 302 of spool 298 whereby the platform will be rotated with the spool.

The platform 346 is of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a vial adapted to be forced thereon by the holder 286 and the platform will coact with the stopper applying mechanism by turning a vial as a stopper is placed therein in order to assure positive application of a stopper to a vial.

Charging mechanism for vials Means is provided whereby vials will be filled with liquid, gas, powder or the like as they are moved by the holder 286 toward the stopper applying mechanism. This dispensing or charging mechanism embodies an impeller or pump unit 354 having a base 356 that is detachably secured to the wall 12 as shown best in Figure 1.

A pair of vertical guide rods 358 extend upwardly from the base 356 and their upper ends are joined by a cross piece 360. A second lower cross piece 362 joins the rods 358 intermediate their ends as shown best in Figures 1 and 17. The cross pieces 360 and 362 are formed with central openings in which the ends of a cylinder 364 are held by set screws or the like.

The flanged portion of a valve cage 366 rests upon the upper end of the cylinder 364 to retain the cage within the upper end of the cylinder. A ball valve 368 is positioned in the cage 366 and will gravitate to close the opening in the lower wall of the cage during the downstroke of a hollow piston 370 slidably received in the cylinder through the lower end of the cylinder. The opening in the upper wall of the cage is serrated to prevent the ball valve from completely closing this opening during upward movement of the ball valve 368.

A cap 372 is threaded on the upper end of the cylinder 364 and removably supports a nipple 374 over which one end of a rubber tubing 376 is fitted.

The upper end of the hollow piston 370 terminates in a cage 378 for a ball valve 380 that will gravitate over an opening in the bottom of the cage during the upstroke of the piston. The opening in the upper wall of cage 378 is serrated to permit the passage of fluid about the ball valve 380 during the downstroke of the piston. The axial bore. of the piston 370 is closed at its lower end but communicates with a laterally projecting removable 9 inlet nipple 382 carried by the lower end of the piston. The nipple 382 is adapted to receive one end of a hose whose other end is suitably connected to or disposed within a container having a liquid or the like therein that will be directed through the piston and cylinders, and hence through outlet nipple 374 and hose 376.

A supporting post 384 is detachably secured to and rises from the wall 12, adjacent the holder 286, and its upper end is vertically slotted to receive the horizontal portion 386 of a dispensing head support 388 that is held against the post 384 by fastener 390. The outer end of the portion 386 is formed with a vertical opening in which there is suitably held a dispensing head 392 whose upper end is connected to the free end of the hose 376.

The head 392 is disposed over the holder and is so mounted as to be located directly over a vial in the holder.

Means is provided for reciprocating the plunger 370 and this means comprises a pair of vertical guide rods 394 whose lower ends are suitably secured in apertures in the wall 14. The ends of a slide 396 are apertured to be slidably received on the rods 394 and the central portion of the slide 396 fixedly carries an upstanding pump operating rod or actuator bar 398 that is disposed coaxial with the piston 370 and which extends upwardly through guide openings in the base 356 and wall 12 to engage the lower closed end of piston 370.

The upper end of the bar 398 is externally threaded to receivably engage washers 400 and 402. The opening in base 356 receiving the bar 398 is larger than the opening in wall 12 and substantially equal in diameter to the washers 400 and 402 so that the washer 402 may pass through the opening in base 356 to engage wall 12 and hence limit downward sliding movement of the bar 398.

The lower end of the piston 370 will be engaged by the upper end of the bar 398 and the washer 400 is adjustable on the bar 398 to form the abutment for the piston and to permit the stroke of the piston to be increased or decreased a slight amount if required.

An upper slide 404 is formed with end! apertures that accommodate the upper guide rods 358 and the central portion of the slide 404 is formed with an opening in which the lower end of the piston 370 is held by a set screw or the like. Coil springs 406 surround the rods 358 and are biased between the ends of cross piece 362 and the ends of slide 404 to urge the slide 404 against stop collars 408 that are held on the rods 358 by set screws.

A pump actuating rock lever 410 extends longitudinally of the machine alongside of rock lever 334 and is pivoted at its left end to a support 412 mounted on the wall 14. The right end of the lever 410 supports a roller 414 that rides against a cam 416 on the shaft 310.

The lever 410 is composed of two parallel bars whose ends are joined to retain the bars spaced from each other sufliciently to permit the shaft 290 and bar 398 to extend therebetween without contacting the lever 410.

A vertically swingable lift arm 418 is pivoted at its upper end to the lever 410 and carries a weight 420 that urges the arm 418 to a vertical position where a cam surface lip 422 on the arm 418 will engage under the central notched portion of slide 396, intermediate the ends of the slide 396, so that the slide 396 and bar 398 will be raised with the lever 410 as the high point of cam 416 rides against roller 414.

Means is provided for preventing engagement of the lip 422 with the slide 396 in the event a vial is not disposed beneath the dispensing head 392. This means comprises a vertical rod 424 whose lower end is journaled for rotation in a bearing seat in wall 14. The upper portion of the rod 424 extends upwardly through registering guide openings in the plate 20 and wall 12 and supports a vial contact arm 426 that is located be tween the upper and lower flanges of drum 286.

An arm 428 is held on the rod 424 for rotation there-- 10 with and the arm 428 is connected to the lift arm 418 by a ball chain 430. A second arm 432 is secured on the rod 424 for rotation therewith and is connected to a holder 434 on the wall 14 by a coil spring 436 that yieldingly urges the arm 426 to a position to be engaged by a vial and the rod 424 to a position where the ball chain 430 is taut in order to raise the lift arm 418 out of engagement with the slide 396 until a vial engages the arm 426 whereupon the rod 424 will be rotated to slack the ball chain 430 and permit the arm 418 to swing toward the slide 396 with the lip 422 engaged under the slide.

An adjustable stop 438 is held in a bracket on the wall 14 and will engage the arm 432 to limit swinging movement of arm 432 and rotation of rod 424.

Operation of the machine Vials V are manually placed in the vial seats 288 as the holder 286 is rotated through its operative connection with the motor 110. As one of the vials carried by the holder engages the arm 426 the ball chain 430 will become slackened and the lip 422 will engage under slide 396 so that the pump unit will be actuated to impel a fluid into the vial which will vbe held under the head 392 until filled since plunger 324 will engage a stop 332 to restrict rotation of the holder 286 for such a period.

After the vial has been filled, the high point of cam 340 will engage roller 338 to raise the lever 334 and lower the plunger 324 so that the holder may again rotate to move the filled vial beneath the stopper applying mechanism and onto platform 346, whereupon the high point of cam 340 passes roller 338 and spring 328 urges the plunger 324 upwardly to engage another lug 332 so that the holder will be held against rotation until a stopper is forced therein by the mechanism 144.

Next, the plunger 324 is again lowered to permit further rotation of the holder 286 whereby the filledand plugged vial will engage the extension 344 and be guided through passageway 342 toward a users hand disposed at the exit of the passageway.

The various mechanisms of the machine are carefully timed so that as soon as a vial is filled by the dispensing mechanism it will be carried to the platform 346 to receive a stopper and then directed through the passageway. The arrestors for the pump mechanism and the stopper applying mechanism will remain inactive when a vial engages the arms 426 and 264, but if a vial is not present in the holder 286 to engage the arms 426 and 264 these mechanisms 354 and 144 will not operate since the arm 418 and lever 410 will not raise rod 398 and the abutment 258 will prevent engagement of lever 250 with member 218.

The complete machine may be readily assembled or disassembled in a convenient manner since the machine must be sterilized frequently, and the apparatus is almost completely constructed from stainless steel to withstand high temperatures in sterilizing chambers and to increase the durability of the machine since a lubricant cannot be employed to reduce friction, since such lubricant would harmfully affect the sterilization of the machine.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

per relative thereto as the member is lowered to a po-- sition for forcing a stopper into the neck of a vial, means releasing said retaining means after the member is lowered, and means engaging the member to prevent lowering of the member, said last named means being moved into an inactive position by a vial engaging the same, whereby the member will be lowered only when a vial is disposed therebeneath to receive a stopper from the member.

2. In a vial charging apparatus, a stopper applying mechanism comprising a vertically swingable member, means operatively connected to the member for sequentially raising and lowering the member toward a vial located therebeneath, additional means connected to the member for yieldingly retaining a stopper relative thereto as the member is lowerd to a position for forcing a stopper into the neck of a vial, means engaging the member to prevent lowering of the member, said last named means being moved into an inactive position by a vial engaging the same, whereby the member will be lowered only when a vial is disposed therebeneath to receive a stopper from the member, and a power driven platform located under the member for turning a vial as a stopper is forced therein by the member to assure positive engagement of a stopper in a vial.

3. In a vial charging apparatus, a stopper applying mechanism comprising a vertically swingable member, means operatively connected to the member for sequentially raising and lowering the member toward a vial located therebeneath, additional means connected to the member for yieldingly retaining a stopper relative thereto as the member is lowered to a position for forcing a stopper into the neck of a vial, means engaging the member to prevent lowering of the member, said last named means being moved into an inactive position by a vial engaging the same, whereby the member will be lowered only when a vial is disposed therebeneath to receive a stopper from the member, wherein said member comprising an arm having an air passage therein including an exit, means operatively connecting the passage to a suction source whereby a stopper will be held against the arm at said exit, valve means actuated to prevent communication between said passage and said source until initial lowering of the arm, and means holding a stopper relative to the arm and being retracted from a stopper held at said exit during lowering of the arm.

4. In a vial filling and stopper applying apparatus, a stopper dispenser including a vertically inclined power rotated hopper including a cylindrical insert having a bottom wall with a central opening therein, a stationary ring having a peripheral flange including a slot of a size to accommodate a single stopper, a wall rotatable with the insert and spaced from the bottom wall, said rotatable wall having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings for sequentially registering with the slot, and an arm overlying the bottom wall and extending from the opening in. said bottom wall and having a portion concentric with the opening in said bottom wall for guiding stoppers toward said opening.

5. In a vial charging and plugging machine, a dispensing mechanism including a hopper, a support rotatably supporting the hopper, a guide chute supported under the hopper and having a passage therein, said hopper having openings for sequentially registering with the passage to permit stoppers to pass from the hopper into the chute, a first shaft, a pair of friction wheels freely rotatable on the first shaft, a second shaft operatively connected to the hopper for rotating the hopper, a friction wheel slidable on the second shaft and urged against the pair of wheels, and a reversing mechanism mounted on the first shaft and including a swinging latch selectively engaging the wheels of said pair of wheels, said latch being swung back and forth between the wheels of said pair of wheels in the event a stopper becomes clogged between said hopper and said passage.

6. In a vial charging and plugging machine, a dispensing mechanism including a hopper, a support rotatably supporting the hopper, a guide chute supported under the hopper and having a passage therein, said hopper hav ing openings for sequentially registering with the passage to permit stoppers to pass from the hopper into the chute, a first shaft, 21 pair of friction wheels freely rotatable on the first shaft, a second shaft operatively connected to the hopper for rotating the hopper, a friction wheel slidable on the second shaft and urged against the pair of wheels, a pin carried by each wheel of said pair and disposed perpendicular to said first shaft, and a spring urged latch mounted for rotation with said first shaft and having a pair of cam surfaced fingers for engaging said pins, one of said pins riding against one of said fingers to swing the latch so that its other finger will be engaged by the other pin should a stopper become clogged in said hopper and said passage.

7. In a vial plugging machine, a plug applying mechanism comprising a vertically swingable rigid arm, means connected to said arm for swinging the arm upwardly and downwardly, a plug retainer slidably carried by the arm and adapted to receive a plug when the arm is raised and hold a plug relative to the arm as the latter is swung downwardly, means engaging said retainer during downward swinging movement of the arm to retract the retainer from its plug holding position as the arm is swung downwardly, and means connected to the arm for retaining a plug relative thereto after the retainer has been retracted.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said last named means comprises a passage in the arm, a nipple at one end of said passage and a source of suction connected to the other end of said passage.

9. A vial stoppering and charging machine of a material to withstand high temperatures whereby parts of the machine may be placed in a sterilizing chamber, said machine including a casing having an upper wall, an upright detachably mounted on the upper wall, a hopper rotatably supported on the upright, a guide chute also detachably mounted on said upper wall beneath the hopper and having an upper entrance end and a lower discharge end, said hopper having a group of dispensing openings selectively communicating with said entrance end to permit stoppers to pass into the guide chute during rotation of the hopper, a stopper applying mechanism supported on the chute, means on the chute at the discharge end and actuated by the mechanism for feeding stoppers to the mechanism, means operatively connected to the mechanism for actuating the same, and means for sequentially carrying vials to the mechanism and retaining the vials positioned beneath the mechanism for a period sufficient for the stoppering of the vials.

10. In a vial plugging machine, a plug applying mechanism comprising a vertically swingable arm movable from a raised vertical position to a lowered horizontal position, a plug holder slidably carried by said arm and including a slotted finger portion ofiset from the arm and adapted to hold a plug, suction means operatively connected to said arm and having a port in registry with the finger portion when the arm is raised, and means connected to said holder for retracting the holder as the arm is lowered whereby a plug will be held relative to said arm by said suction means.

11. In a vial plugging machine, a plug applying mechanism comprising a vertically swingable arm movable from a raised vertical position to a lowered horizontal position, a plug holder slidably carried by said arm and including a slotted finger portion offset from the arm and adapted to hold a plug, suction means operatively connected to said arm and having a port in registry with the finger portion when the arm is raised, and means connected to said holder for retracting the holder as the arm is lowered whereby a plug will be held relative to said arm by said suction means, said suction means including a valve that is closed to relieve the suction means and release a plug held relative to the arm by said suction means as the arm approaches its lowered position.

12. In a vial plugging machine, a plug applying mechanism comprising a vertically swingable arm movable from a raised vertical position to a lowered horizontal position, a sleeve slidably carried by the arm, a retainer finger fixed to the sleeve offset from the arm and having a slot forming a plug seat, means engaged with the sleeve for retracting the sleeve as the arm is lowered, suction means operatively connected to the arm and including a port facing the slot in said finger when the arm is raised and said suction means being actuated to retain a plug relative to the arm as the sleeve is retracted during lowering of the arm.

13. In a vial plugging machine, a plug applying mechanism comprising a support, a vertically swingable arm pivoted to the support and movable from a vertically raised position to a horizontally lowered position, a plug holder slidably carried by the arm and including a slotted finger portion offset from the arm and adapted to hold a plug, suction means connected to the arm and including a port in the outer end of the arm facing the finger portion when the arm is raised, spring means connecting the arm to the holder and urging the holder toward the outer end of the arm and the finger portion in registry with said port, and rollers carried by the holder engaging the support to retract the holder as the arm is lowered whereby a plug held by the holder when the arm is raised will be retained relative to the arm by said suction means as the arm is lowered.

14. In a vial plugging machine, a plug applying mechanism comprising a support, a vertically swingable arm pivoted to the support and movable from a vertically raised position to a horizontally lowered position, a plug holder slidably carried by the arm and including a slotted finger portion offset from the arm and adapted to hold the plug, suction means connected to the arm and including a port in the outer end of the arm facing the finger portion when the arm is raised, spring means connecting the arm to the holder and urging the holder toward the outer end of the arm and the finger portion in registry with said port, and rollers carried by the holder engaging the support to retract the holder as the arm is lowered whereby a plug held by the holder when the arm is raised will be retained relative to the arm by said suction means as the arm is lowered, a power means operatively connected to said arm for swinging the arm, a valve forming part of said suction means, and a power driven cam operatively connected to said power means and engaging the valve to urge the valve to its open position as the arm is moved to a substantially horizontal position.

15. In a vial plugging machine, a guide chute having a lower discharge end, said discharge end being provided with a transverse horizontal opening, an abutment lug slidable in the opening to limit downward sliding movement of plugs received in the guide chute, a spring arm having an upper end secured to the guide chute and a lower portion fixed to the lug to urge the latter into the guide chute, a vertically swingable member at the discharge end of said chute and movable from a raised vertical position to a lowered horizontal position, said member having an outer end portion provided with a port, suction means connected to the port for retaining a plug relative to the member, a plug holder slidably carried by the member and including a slotted finger portion offset from the outer end portion of the member and facing the port when the member is raised, and means for retracting the holder as the member is lowered so that a plug engaged by the finger portion will be held relative to the member by said suction means, the lower end of said spring arm being disposed in the path of said member to be engaged by the member as the member is raised. whereby the lug will be retracted so that a plug in the chute will drop into the slot of said finger portion.

16. In a vial plugging machine, a guide chute having a lower discharge end, said discharge end being provided with a transverse horizontal opening, an abutment lug slidable in the opening to limit downward sliding movement of plugs received in the guide chute, a spring arm having an upper end secured to the guide chute and a lower portion fixed to the lug to urge the latter into the guide chute, a vertically swingable member at the discharge end of said chute and movable from a raised vertical position to a lowered horizontal position, said member having an outer end portion provided with a port, suction means connected to the port for retaining a plug relative to the member, a plug holder slidably carried by the member and including a slotted finger portion offset from the outer end portion of the member and facing the port when the member is raised, and means for retracting the holder as the member is lowered so that a plug engaged by the finger portion will be held relative to the member by said suction means, the lower end of said spring arm being disposed in the path of said member to be engaged by the member as the member is raised whereby the lug will be retracted so that a plug in the chute will drop into the slot of said finger portion, a spring terminally secured to the member and the holder and urging the holder toward the outer end portion of said member, said holder retracting means including a roller on said holder engaging the chute as the member is lowered.

17. A vial plugging apparatus comprising an upwardly extending guide chute having a passage with a discharge end above the lower end of the guide chute, said chute having a vertical slot below said discharge end, a vertically swingable arm having inner and outer end portions, a horizontal pivot securing the inner end portion of said arm Within the lower portion of said slot, means connected to the arm for moving the arm from a vertical position in the slot to a lowered horizontal position, a nipple at the outer end of said arm, suction means operatively connected to said nipple for retaining a plug relative to said arm during lowering of said arm, a plug receiver and holder slidably carried by said arm and including a finger portion offset from the outer end of said arm and having a slot forming a plug seat, means engaging the holder and urging the holder to a position where the slot is in registry with the nipple when the arm is raised so that a plug may drop into the slot from the discharge end, and means retracting the holder as the arm is lowered so that a plug engaged in said slot will be released therefrom and retained relative to said arm by said suction means.

18. A vial plugging apparatus comprising an upwardly extending guide chute having a passage with a discharge end above the lower end of the guide chute, said chute having a vertical slot below said discharge end, a vertically swingable arm having inner and outer end portions, a horizontal pivot securing the inner end portion of said arm within the lower portion of said slot, means connected to the arm for moving the arm from a vertical position in the slot to a lowered horizontal position, a nipple at the outer end of said arm, suction means operatively connected to said nipple for retaining a plug relative to said arm during the lowering of said arm,

- a plug receiver and holder slidably carried by said arm and including a finger portion oifset from the outer end of said arm and having a slot forming a plug seat, means engaging the holder and urging the holder to a position where the slot is in registry with the nipple when the arm is raised so that a plug may drop into the slot from the discharge end, and means retracting the holder as the arm is lowered so that a plug engaged in said slot will be released therefrom and retained relative to said arm by said suction means, said pivot comprising a pin having a blind bore and an aperture intersecting said bore, said pin having a peripheral groove in communication with said aperture, said arm having a passage connecting the nipple with the groove, and said suction means being in communication with said nipple through said pin, said aperture, said groove and said passage.

19. A vial plugging apparatus comprising an upwardly extending guide chute having a passage with a discharge end above the lower end of the guide chute, said chute having a vertical slot below said discharge end, a vertically swingable arm having inner and outer end portions, a horizontal pivot securing the inner end portion of said arm within the lower portion of said slot, means connected to the arm for moving the arm from a vertical position in the slot to a lowered horizontal position, a nipple at the outer end of said arm, suction means operatively connected to said nipple for retaining a plug relative to said arm during lowering of said arm, means carried by said arm for receiving a plug from said discharge end and for retaining a plug in registry with said nipple when the arm is in its raised position, and means for retracting said plug receiving and retaining means as the arm is lowered.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,172,256 Carper Feb. 22, 1916 1,958,248 Runk May 8, 1934 2,392,054 McKinnis Jan. 1, 1946 2,510,568 Pause June 6, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 373,170 Germany Apr. 9, 1923 525,201 Great Britain Aug. 23, 1940 

